Simplifying Life

lilac_lady

Sophiesmum, maybe you could buy a cheap PAYG one for emergencies such as a breakdown in your car? It wouldn't cost much and you'd have peace of mind. You don't need to give anyone the number if you want to keep it just for that purpose.

sophiesmum_2

lilac_lady wrote: »

Sophiesmum, maybe you could but a cheap PAYG one for emergencies such as a breakdown in your car? It wouldn't cost much and you'd have peace of mind. You don't need to give anyone the number if you want to keep it just for that purpose.

Hi lilac lady,that's a good idea, there are a couple of old phones knocking around DD's bedroom and I have some payg sims that i could use.Maybe I will just leave one in the car for emergencies.

Rowan9

What a wonderful thread this is, isn't it? I feel very serene and simplified, sitting here reading, with my still muddy dogs sleeping, and a glass of orange squash!
Aril - I have written your Pablo Casals quote into my diary - it is the most positive thing in there at the moment but I'm looking at it for inspiration to see more creativity and uniqueness around me. Instead of writing what's going on in my brain (!), I'm going to make notes of what is inspiring me. This will turn it into a kind of gratitude journal. I started one of those before but it didn't work for me - I think I need a mixture of the two.
Thanks for all your messages, folks on here, and ((((hugs)))) to those who would like them
W

ecoelle

Hi all, saw an ad for this website in the observer and thought some of you would appreciate it
www.lovefoodhatewaste.com
there's some good stuff on here about meal planning and reducing waste so thought it fitted in here.
Cheers guys for all the useful posts
elle

do_it_today!

Thanks Ceridwen!!!! :j:

do_it_today!

Hi :hello:
we both feel abit better for...
getting rid of some pics on the computer
ebaying some stuff
recycling some rubbish
taking stuff to charity and some to the dump

rhonda_jean

Hi everyone. This is a wonderful thread and I wish I had the time to read all of it. I think I might have posted in here somewhere else but I thought I'd add another bit.

We simplified our lives a few years ago, gave up work and now my husband and I live on less than $15,000 (Australian dollars) a year. We have no debt, we produce as much of our own food in our backyard as we can, we only spend money on needs, and not wants, and we've never been happier than we are now.

I think there are three important steps you need to live simply, that is to spend only on what you absolutely must have to live, use the money you save doing that to pay off your debt and declutter your house, your life and your mind. Going through those three steps will lead you on to many other things.

It's not easy when you first start because you give up a lot of the things that used to give you pleasure - but usually stop you really living, like Pay TV, mobile phones, frequent holidays, new clothes and shoes, and recreational shopping in general. But as you shed all those things that are tying you down, you realise how much your life was hidden beneath all the 'stuff'.

Just a quick tip on decluttering. I started on the loungeroom, bathroom etc, but it wasn't until I did my own wardrobe and bedroom that I felt like the weight of the world had been lifted off me. There is something about ridding yourself of old clothes, shoes and handbags - all your really personal things - that make you feel like you're really opening your life up to all the good things that can now find their way to you.

Good luck to all of you who are working towards a more simple life.

earth

hello everyone.

I admit to being a lurker for some time, never postign because of the general nastiness on boards but this has been one of the most positive threads I have ever read.
I have been simplifying my life on and off for 2 years! First i had sort out work, then family and now I am working on my house.( Through all this i have been shedding some hefty emotional baggage, a job not yet complete!)My biggest problem is my OH who is a terrible consumer and hoarder. Sometimes it feels that all the space I make soon gets filled up with even more 'stuff'.

Love to all

do_it_today!

earth wrote: »

hello everyone.

I admit to being a lurker for some time, never postign because of the general nastiness on boards but this has been one of the most positive threads I have ever read.
I have been simplifying my life on and off for 2 years! First i had sort out work, then family and now I am working on my house.( Through all this i have been shedding some hefty emotional baggage, a job not yet complete!)My biggest problem is my OH who is a terrible consumer and hoarder. Sometimes it feels that all the space I make soon gets filled up with even more 'stuff'.

Love to all

Hello Earth :hello:

This is a lovely thread full of lovely people :T simplifying your life can happen in so many areas of your life and on so many levels - what I am finding is that its a step at a time. For example I would get rid of stuff but then 6-12 months later be getting rid of more books /mags/ shoes I guess elements of it can be like a diet .... you have to keep doing it and everytime I am tempted to bring something home ie a free mag, a bargain item of clothing or a friends unwanted TV I have to really question it now... where will it go? do I really NEED this ? so many things are punted to us as being useful or necessary and they really arent at all. For me its one step at a time, yes I have days or hours where Im focused on clearing re-organising but Im focusing at one area at a time. I have said it before and will keep saying it staying out of shops is really helping me! too many opportunities for me to bring stuff home!!!

Also at the moment I am forcing myself to be honest about projects Im committed too - how I want to spend my time and letting go of the projects/ activities that after 2 years of wanting to do it's not happening... ie my sew machine last used 2002. The juicer given to me at christmas, the stacks of card I have got rid of that I was going to paint on. The lovely cream boots that are scuffed and havent been worn. The lovely antique like chair which has not been used/ has no home and just keeps getting stuff dumped on! the holiday book that is now a messy burden rather than a joy....

they've all got to go!... :T

meanmarie

Hi all,

One day I will declutter and make my life simple! My first step is that I no longer buy things unless I really have to...underwear is pretty shot and will definitely need replacement before I head off to Australia in May!

Thanks Ceridwen for the link...have never heard of Imbolc...L! Fh!ile Br!de and other mentions in article I had heard of...and was pleased that I almost translated the Scots Gaelic properly. Will reread at a more opportune moment as I should be in bed I am tired...the bit about the Cailleach and her fuel was good, we had a rotten day here yesterday!

Oiche mhaith

Marie